A progress review will be conducted in 2015 to analyse the trajectory to fulfilling the goals; actual energy balance and cost developments; as well as the climate impact in relation to the targets. A compilation of evaluations of current policy measures will also be performed. The progress review will not concern the policy’s strategic direction but may lead to adjustments to policy instruments and tools.

Description:

The policy framework constitutes of a political response of Sweden to the EU climate and energy package for 2020. The integrated bill was passed by the Parliament in 2009 and contains two parts, climate and energy which constitutes a integrated framework for climate and energy policy.

The Swedish goals in the energy and climate area by 2020 are:

50 % share of renewable energy of the total energy usage.

10 % share of renewable energy in the transport sector. The target for the transport sector should be seen in the light of the Government’s long-term ambition that Sweden should have a vehicle fleet that is independent of fossil fuels and with no net emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

20% increase in the efficiency of energy usage. The target is expressed as a cross-sectoral target for reduced energy intensity of 20% between 2008 and 2020.

40 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The target applies to the sector outside the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and is equivalent to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 20 million tonnes compared with the 1990 level. Two-thirds of these reductions will take place in Sweden and one-third in the form of investments in other EU countries or in flexible mechanisms such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

In order to achieve the target of at least 50% renewable energy by 2020, the Government has put forward a number of proposals, including the further development of the electricity certificate scheme for renewable electricity generation. General economic instruments, such as carbon dioxide tax, international emissions trading and certificates for renewable electricity are fundamental to the long-term energy policy. The economic instruments are gradually developed and exceptions limited as far as possible, taking into account the risk of carbon dioxide leakage and the competitiveness of Swedish trade and industry.

The instruments are complemented by both technology development initiatives and information and initiatives to remove institutional obstacles. The Swedish energy policy is based on the same keystones as the cooperation on energy within the EU and aims to reconcile sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply.